More than two weeks after new lanes opened on the northbound 15 Freeway in Temecula, drivers and officials say the changes are easing what was once a major traffic bottleneck.
The project gives those entering from Winchester Road dedicated lanes to either the 15 or 215 freeways, aiming to reduce the merging and resulting congestion in the area.
“It’s definitely improved for everyone’s sanity,” said Chris Jones, a barber at Old Town Barbers on Winchester Road. “Before, it was hell. Getting stuck on that on-ramp from Winchester was terrible.”
The upgrades are part of the $138.8 million French Valley Parkway Phase 2 project, a plan to improve traffic flow on the northbound 15 Freeway between Winchester Road and the 15/215 split in Murrieta.
The new route — which debuted Monday, April 28, lets drivers enter from Winchester Road and stay in newly built northbound lanes with a wall separating them from the freeway. The lanes lead directly to the 15 or 215 Freeway, meaning motorists no longer need to merge across multiple lanes.
“I’ve seen a big improvement,” said Pedro “Casper” De la Fuente, the co-owner of the barber shop who commutes from Wildomar and said it’s now safer to get on the freeway. “Definitely a lot of pluses … I like it.”
The project, which took about two years to complete, included widening two bridges, adding the 1.5-mile auxiliary lane and upgrading freeway on-ramps.
One of Temecula’s busiest streets, Winchester Road is home to the Promenade Temecula mall and many shops, eateries and businesses.
Before the improvements, drivers merging onto the northbound 15 Freeway from Winchester Road were often forced to cross several lanes of traffic in a short distance.
Now, they’re routed onto new, separated lanes, divided from the main freeway by a concrete barrier.
“Congestion has been drastically reduced,” Temecula Project Manager Alvin Odviar said.
While there’s no way to specifically measure traffic flow, Odviar said “it is observably much, much better.”
“We’re even seeing lighter traffic on city streets during the evening commute,” he added. “We believe that the improved flow on the freeway has lessened the need for folks to exit and use side streets.”
In an emailed statement, Temecula Mayor Brenden Kalfus called the improvements “critical.”
“This is the largest capital project in the city’s history and represents a significant leap toward reducing travel times,” Kalfus wrote.
Many residents have shared that they’re now spending less time in traffic and more time doing what they enjoy, Kalfus wrote.
“This means more quality time for families, businesses and leisure,” he said.
Community feedback on Facebook has been positive.
“More time with my family. Priceless … left work in Poway at 2:50 p.m. and pulled into my driveway in Alta Murrieta at 4 p.m. Love it ,” Dexter Paulite Jr. wrote.
“This is the best thing Temecula has done in a long time,” Catherine Hammond said in a post.
Another user, Daniel Galindo, added: “Now I actually get home before dinner.”
Next up is French Valley Parkway Phase 3, a project expected to focus on the southbound 15 Freeway and building a French Valley Parkway bridge overpass north of Winchester Road. Design work is underway, city officials said.
“This fundamentally changes our region for the better, and will improve the lives of Temecula residents for years to come,” Temecula City Councilmember Matt Rahn said in an email.
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